2000 Winter _llll Ontario ..... ...... IBranch News J_il-len-ni-um (n). Aspan of onethousandyears. __1_ P _l _LI[_ 2y Ourinstincts toldus to celebrateon December31, 1999. But logic says that everymillenniumis madeup of 1000years- which means thatthe year 2000 belongedtothe secondnotthethirdmillenium.Credit forthis confusingstateof affairsgoes to Dennis the Diminutive,a sixth centurymonk who prepareda calendarforPope St. John I. Instead of beginning his calendar at year 0, Dennis yoarl started with 1 A.D,- bequeathing us the chronological quandary we faced this year. Therefore, the third millennium began on January 1,2001. ...'" NewYear Celebrations New Yearfestivals are any number of religious, social, and cultural observances worldwide. Such festivals, which are amongthe oldest and most universallyobserved,generallyincluderites and ceremoniesexpressive of mortification,purgation, invigoration, and jubilation over life's renewal. This renewal is the essence of the New Year.It is, to varyingdegrees of explicitness in world cultures, a remembrance or repetition of the creationof the cosmos on the symbolicanniversary of its creation, in order that the gods, the cosmos, and the communitymaybe strengthened. The earliest-known record of a New Year's festival dates from about 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, where the New Year(Akitu) commenced with the new moon nearest the spring equinox (mid-March; Babylonia) or nearest the autumn equinox (mid-September;Assyria). The year began for the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Persians with the autumn equinox (September 21) and for the Greeks, until the 5th century BC, with the "Y" winter solstice (December21). By the Roman republican calendar the year began on March 1; after 153 BC the official date was January 1, and this was confirmed by the Julian calendar (46 BC); In the Jewish religious calendar the year begins with the first day of the month of Tishri (September 6- October5;Rosh Hashana),Inearlymedievaltimesmost ofChristianEuroperegardedMarch25(Annunciation Day) as the beginning of the year, though for Anglo-Saxon England New Year's Day was December 25. Williamthe Conquerordecreed that the year start on January 1,but later,Englandbegan its year withthe rest of Christendom on March 25. January 1 was restored as New Year's Day by the Gregorian calendar (1582) and immediate!y adopted by Roman Catholic countries. Other countries slowly followed suit: Scotland, 1660;Germany and Deumark, about 1700;England, 1752; Sweden, 1753; and Russia, 1918. Observances Ofthe secular New Year in the West varyregionally but typically entail the preparation of a ....... _ .................... _- ..... -_, o .......... • ....... , ..... _. __ _ • customary meal (as " John," a dishof peas and rice, _ _:_','_'_ _,, _:_ ": .,._'__:->: ",- :-_,_' ,_-*_=".._' _',',_-_in the U.S. South) and the making of personal resolutions for I;.;,_Message_om_.Tl_e_slden[:,_;':_ _;_'_,_:?:_4:,;,_.:_+1 Most Eastern New Year festivals retain a distinctly religious ,:_':,:.: .......¢,_ >_,o_; :_..,,-,,,_,',,-_.;_,::_ :c::_,:_. ,'__:.-_-_-.:., character. In Dravidian southern India, the Tamil New-Year ........... " ..... '_ ....... '_ ....................... " ........ ,] winter solstice with the three-@ Pongal ........................... _ ............... ,................ ,- is celebrated at ._A].og_die_.:LZ.ii:;f_:i_;_:._;_._._ii_i_{:_?.i_!_N_:!:_?i j festival, markedby religious pilgrimages and the ritual [:,:.'_?e_is_A_i_oUa_gaeniis_;)._'_::ii!_(_':,_J boiling of new rice. In Bangladesh the New Year is marked [_. :Me_!be_sh'ii_.:S_v.i_s_?._:.._. _;:_; <';__"_A_:_!:!i by the worship of the Ganges. Pre-Buddhist indigenous and _;::_ ,__:_ ,t::;__;,, :;_:;_:_ _::_'=:_:_'_';_"_¢<_t_l Hindu influencesare prominentin SoutheastAsianfestivals. _, ..... _._: _'._ .:_._.,_-,_ ,::..a:. -X_:'_'r_"_Z,-Y0_'_'-::_:_:r'; ;1_ 'Z In Thailand, Trut, or New Year (March/April), is of a mixed " -z
Ourinstinctstoldus to celebrateon December31, 1999.Butlogic saysthateverymillenniumis madeupof 1000years- which meansthatthe year 2000belongedtothe secondnotthe thirdmillenium.Creditforthisconfusingstateofaffairsgoesto Dennis theDiminutive, a sixth centurymonkwho prepareda
calendarfor Pope St.John I. Insteadof beginninghis calendar atyear 0, Dennis yoarlstartedwith 1A.D,- bequeathing us the chronologicalquandary we faced this year.
Therefore,the third millennium beganon January 1,2001....' " NewYear Celebrations
NewYearfestivalsare any numberof religious, social,and culturalobservancesworldwide. Such festivals,which areamongtheoldestand most universallyobserved,generallyincluderitesand ceremoniesexpressiveof mortification,purgation, invigoration, and jubilation over life's renewal. This renewal is the essenceofthe NewYear.It is, to varyingdegrees of explicitness in world cultures, a remembrance or repetition of thecreationof the cosmoson the symbolicanniversaryof its creation, in order thatthe gods, the cosmos,and thecommunitymaybe strengthened.
The earliest-known recordof a New Year's festival dates from about 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, where theNew Year(Akitu) commencedwith the new moon nearest the spring equinox (mid-March; Babylonia) ornearestthe autumn equinox(mid-September;Assyria).The yearbegan for the Egyptians,Phoenicians, andPersians with the autumn equinox (September 21) and for the Greeks, until the 5th century BC, with the "Y"winter solstice(December21). By the Romanrepublicancalendar the yearbegan on March 1; after 153BCthe officialdate wasJanuary 1,and this was confirmed by the Julian calendar (46 BC);
In the Jewish religious calendar the year begins with the first day of the month of Tishri (September 6-October5;RoshHashana),Inearlymedievaltimesmost ofChristianEuroperegardedMarch25(Annunciation
Day) as the beginning of the year, though for Anglo-Saxon England New Year's Day was December 25.Williamthe Conquerordecreed that theyearstarton January 1,but later,Englandbegan its yearwiththe restof Christendom on March 25. January 1 wasrestored as New Year's Day by the Gregorian calendar (1582)and immediate!y adopted by Roman Catholic countries. Other countries slowly followed suit: Scotland,1660;Germanyand Deumark,about 1700;England, 1752; Sweden, 1753; and Russia, 1918.
Observances Ofthe secular New Year in the Westvaryregionally but typically entail the preparation of a......._...................._- .....-_,o..........•.......,....._._ _ _ • customarymeal (as " John," a dishof peas and rice,_ _:_','_'__,,_:_":.,._'__:->:",- :-_,_',_-*_=".._'_',',_-_in the U.S. South)and the making ofpersonal resolutionsfor
I;.;,_Message_om_.Tl_e_slden[:,_;':_ _;_'_,_:?:_4:,;,_.:_+1Most Eastern NewYear festivalsretain a distinctlyreligious,:_':,:.:.......¢,_>_,o_;:_..,,-,,,_,',,-_.;_,::_:c::_,:_.,'__:.-_-_-.:.,character. In Dravidian southern India, the TamilNew-Year
..........." ..... '_ ....... '_......................." ........ ,] winter solstice with the three-@ Pongal........................... _...............,................,- is celebrated at
._A].og_die_.:LZ.ii:;f_:i_;_:._;_._._ii_i_{:_?.i_!_N_:!:_?ij festival, markedby religious pilgrimages and the ritual[:,:.'_?e_is_A_i_oUa_gaeniis_;)._'_::ii!_(_':,_Jboiling of new rice. In Bangladeshthe New Year is marked[_.:Me_!be_sh'ii_.:S_v.i_s_?._:.._._;:_; <';__"_A_:_!:!iby the worship of the Ganges. Pre-Buddhist indigenousand_;::_,__:_ ,t::;__;,,:;_:;_:__::_'=:_:_'_';_"_¢<_t_lHinduinfluencesareprominentin SoutheastAsianfestivals._,....._._:_'._.:_._.,_-,_,::..a:.-X_:'_'r_"_Z,-Y0_'_'-::_:_:r';;1_ 'Z In Thailand,Trut, or New Year (March/April),is of a mixed
" -z
¸i,¸¸
Branch News l fciphiEditorial Team ' _-.:
Sonia Singh Ontario Branch Executive
YorkRegionHealthServices President - SuzanneLychowyd-Shaw(905) 895-4511 Ext. 4015 TorontoPublicHealthDepartment- EasternOffice
• Articles must be submittedby thedeadlinesgiven onthe Ontario
Branch web site or the OBN. Healthy Environments - Ron HartnettArticle Submission Deadlines: Renfrew County & District Health Unit
Spring Issue- February 16,2001 (613) 432-5853, Fax: (613) 432-3382Summer Issue - May 19, 2001, e-mail: [email protected]
Fall Issue - August 18, 2001 Membership Services - Lorrie CulicWinter Issue - November 17, 2001York Region Health Services
Thecommentsandopinions expressedintheOntarioBranchNews (905) 895-4511 Ext. 4557 Fax: (905)- 83678315are those ofthe authoranddonot necessarilyreflect the opinionofthe e-mail: [email protected],Publisher,theCanadianInstituteofPublicHealthInspectors
of anyof its officers. Wereservetherighttoeditmaterialsubmitted, Partnership Liaison -Andre Biasutigsolicitedortmsolicitedforpurposesof brevity,clarityandgrammatical Niagara Regional Health Unitaccuracy.Materialfrom thispublicationmayonlybe reproducedwith (905) 688-3762, Fax: (905) 641-4994thepermissionof theEditors. PublicationsMailRegistrationNo.0463981 HeldatNewmarket, Ontario. e-mail: [email protected]
1Branch-NewsT •he end of the year is upon us and with it comes the new millenium. Lookingback,the events of the past year havebeen quite exhaustive. From possible Y2K disasters;"Dirty Dining", Walkertonand WestNile encephalitisto the first death attributedtorabies since 1967, 2000 has been a challengeto public health.
Y2K, thankfully,fizzled out within a week of theNew Year.Although Dirty Diningissues have, for the most part, been resolved, the consequence for public health hasresulted in a new disclosure system utilized south of the border adopted, modified andto be fully implementedby TorontoPublic Health in 2001. Manyother health units arealso followingsuit, althoughalong differenttimelines.
The tragedyof Walkertonalthough concentratedhad wide spread effectsthroughoutOntarioand across the country. The implications of Walkertonrenewedan interest in •safe water supplies and the need for provincial legislation.
®In the aftermath,theMinistry of the Environmenthas reexaminedtheir role and
developedthe new Ontario DrinkingWaterRegulation. Theexpeditious mannerinwhich the regulations have beendrafted, written and enactedhas drawn criticism from
health units acrossOntario and public utility officials alike. The OntarioBranch's
ownexecutivecouncilor Ron Hartnett has On manyoccasionsunsuccessfullypetitionedthe Ministryto amend theregulationprior to enactment.
@Luckily, public health has been givena year's reprieveregarding WestNile
encephalitis. Although cases havebeen documented south of our borders, we havebeenfortunate enough not to have anyhuman cases contractedin Canada. On the otherhand; raccoon rabies has manifested itself within our borders. Far more disturbing are
reports from our neighbours from the east regardinga ten-year-oldboy and hisexposureto bats and subsequentcontraction of rabiesand eventualdeath. Saddeningas this maybe, it alerts us to the prevalence and cruelty of this traditionally infrequentkiller.
Althoughthis years events seemdire, theyhave thrustpublic health into the forefrontofthepublics eye and the importance of what we do for a living has never been so vital.
The Editorsof the OntarioBranchNews would like to thank all health units and
individuals that have provided this publication with intuitive articles. Weencourageand anticipateyour continued involvement in 2001. Wewould also like to wish allpublic health inspectors and their families the best during the holiday season.
The Editors
IQwww.ciphLon.ca]
Branch News Message from thePresident
C.I.P.H'I. Ontario Branch President's Report
Over the past month and one-half as Ontario Branch President I have been fortunate to have a relativelyquite time up until this point. The following is a list of activities of which I have been involved in orresponded to:
1. I am please to confirm that the Host of the 2001 CIPHI Educational Conference is Leeds-Grenville andLanark Health Unit. Henry Garcia provided confirmation shortly after the 2000 conference held inToronto. Notification of this event was provided to Sonia Singh for posting on the Web site.
2. Letters of 'Welcome' have been mailed out to all Health Units/Departments and other organizationsintroducing the new executive. (A few are remaining, as contact persons needed to be identified.)
3. An update regarding the Ontario Branch was submitted and printed in the latest Environmental Health
Review- Fall 2000.4. Contact with students interested in working with the Institute in various capacities has continued.
I!ll 5. Communications were made with Mr. Carl Hunter regarding his business - ProPlan Conference Plan-
/
nets. Mr. Hunter had contacted me to advise the Institute of their services. I advised him that I would
share his proposal with the executive for consideration.
6. Arrangements for the CIPHI Display to be used by the North Bay and District Health Unit were made.A representative of the Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit also made a request for the dis-play.
7. A letter regarding the 1998 CIPHI Conference was sent to Ottawa to the attention of the ConferenceChairperson. Copies ofthe Conference report, including the financial particulars were requested. Aresponse to this request was dated November 30, 2000.
8. Communication to C.I.P.H.I. National concerning Honorary Memberships was addressed.
Total Exec. Meeting Expense 2,113.22 Total Operating Expenses 29,252.76Conference Expense Net Income -3027.12Hotel 3,455.20 Printed on 11/12/00Meals 294.57
Registration 5,500.00 During my current term as a CIPHI councilor, I planMiscellaneous 289.30 to continuetheworkI had started. I receivednothingConferenceCommittee 41.12 but a positive response from Ryerson after the
Total Conference Expense 10,209.99 informal informationsessionwasheld this pastyear.I have been in contact with the School of Public and
NationalConference/1VleetingExpense -2.19 OccupationalHealth (SOPHe)and willhold anothersimilar night in order to answer any questions thestudentsorfacultymayhave.As a constituentsociety
Branch News I Executive Reportsmember of the Ontario Public Health Association, I the layout and design and will endeavour to continue
•am attempting to attend the scheduled board meetings, to improve the look and content.
or arranging for someone else to attend on my behalf. RespectfullySubmittedby;I hope to continue and improve upon last year's SoniaSinghaccomplishments throughout this next term.Respectfullysubmitted by; Healthy Environments Division Report
AndreBlasutig Active Projects
Communications Division DrinkingWater:
: The Communications Division is responsible for the The Branch was one again in the news when the_J development and maintenance of the Ontario Branch Toronto Star interviewed me. The Star was running"_ Web Site and the Ontario Branch News. a special report in October onthe Walker situation: and wanted the Ontario Branch perspective on_ Ontario Branch Web Site drinking water issues. In addition to the interview,
In 2001 the web site will undergo a "face lift" and two lettersto the Ministry of the Environment werealso some restructuring to make the site more user sent. One letter was address to the Minister to re-
friendly, establish communication with him and his Ministry.
Due to personal time constraints the web site will The other letter was sent to the Director of theonly be updated twice per month. Time sensitive Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branchinformation will however be the exception to the rule voicing our concerns about the ne w regualtion.
and be posted as soon as possible ( e.g. job postings). Playgr0und Safety:
Ontario Branch News A letter was sent to Mr. Rob Nickol requesting thatThe Ontario Branch News (OBN) is the journal for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care providePublic Health Inspectors in Ontario. It is aquarterly training in playground safety inspections forpublication that is provided to members of the Ontario inspectors in 2001.Branch. Articles on various public health issues,•events, conferences, announcements and Branch Future Projects:Executive Reports are all included in this publication. I plan on working on the Tobacco Control Act as it
relates to public health inspectors' duties. There areThe .OBN Editorial Team is finding it difficult changes scheduled to be made with the presentarranging meetings to work on the publication due to legislation and I will be taking the opportunity tocomputer accessibility and. distance. With this in voice the concerns of the Branch regarding these-mind a proposal is being made to the Branch change s. I will also be continuing to attempt to linkExecutive to purchase a lap top computer specifically with the Ontario Waterworks Association or thefor the OBN use. The lap top will allow the editors Canadian Watersworks Association.•The LGL Health
to work off site at a conyenient location for each of Unit has put a call out to health units in theirthem. It will als0 ensure a smooth transition for the surrounding area to assist in the planning of the 2001next Communications Division Councillor in 2002 Conference. I have been informed by Renfrew Countytocontinue producing the OBN. The lap top will Health Unit that I will be involved with the 2001
also eliminate the need to email the large OBN file Conference planning._i (20 MB"or more depending on graphics ).
Respectfullysubmittedby;The Fall and Winter OBN will be sent out as a special RonHartnettdoUble issue in December to ensure that members
receive the scheduled 4 issues per year. 10 www.ciphi.on.ca IThe editors 'have receive positive feedback regarding
Membership ServicesThe Food Safety Division Committee met last onSeptember 26, 2000. Toronto area representative Membership Services is responsible for generating
and maintaining membership of the Institute alongDhan Persuad has resigned from this committee, areplacement will be required. The remainderof this with updating the Public Health InspectorsDirectory.
committee remains intact and includes full regional 2001 Membership Driverepresentationthroughoutthe province. The 2001 Membership Drive was launched at the
The committee is in the process of planning initiatives Annual CIPHI Educational Conference in Torontofor the year 2001. I had a phone consultation with (September 24 -28). A display outlining the benefitsRob Nickol, from the Ministry of Health and Long- of membership was developed and presented at theTerm Care on November 10, 2000. The committee conference along with some of the prizes that will be
drawn atthe end of the drive in March of 2001. Prizeswill be asked to comment on the amendments to thefor the 2001 Membership Drive are being donatedfine structure for short form wording for Ontario
Regulation 562 - Food Premises, and further by sponsors. Information on the drive will be sent ...out by the end of the year.amendments to this regulation which may include ,
adopting the CFIS Food Code and Regulation. Mr. In addition to the Membership Drive, existing
Nickol suggested that the Ministry will recommend members should expect a reminder letter along with 2amendments, which may include mandatory food a 2001 membership form. The Membership Form Ohandler training, referencing of specific food will also be made available on the Ontario Branch Ttemperatures and including home based food Web Site by the first week in December andin everyoperations, issue of the Ontario Branch News.
Iam hopeful thatthe committeewill start aprocess Retired Members/25 YearMembershipPinsshortly to develop a strategy for the access and Unfortunatelythedatabase for retired and 25 yearimplementationoffoodhandlercertificationresources members requires updating. This will require co-across theprovince. Duringthe pastfew months,I operation from all individualhealthdepartments/havebeencontactedbycolleaguesfromvarioushealth memberstocontactMembegshipServices if theyareunits in Ontariowho haveenquiredaboutthe status awareof anindividualwho hasnotreceived their25of the pilot projector suggestedthe merits of Other year membershippinor whois a retiredmemberbutfoodhandlertrainingresources.I am planningtoset is not on the mailing list. A announcementwill beup aworkinggroupfromthis committeeto developa faxedto everyhealthunitaskingfortheirco-operationfood safety certification strategy for the Ontario in thismatter.Thisannouncementwill alsobeplacedBranch. onthebranchweb site andOntarioBranchNews.
1 received a letter from Kathryn Small from Simon Membership Services Councillor PositionFraser Health Region, Bumaby, BC requesting five This position is presently held by Lorrie Culic untilhundred copies of the CIPHI HACCP Poster. I the end of April 2001. Lorrie will be resigning fromadvised Kathryn that presently the poster is not this position as she will be relocating to the Unitedavailable for distribution. However, I advised her States in May. Sherri Cleaves from Alg0ma HealththatIwould submitaproposal to the CIPHI Executive Unit has offered to fulfil the remainder of the termfor their consideration to print and distribute this after Lorrie's departure.poster. I will contact Kathryn to advise her on.the Respectfully submitted by;poster status following the November CIPHI Ontario Lorrie Culic
Branch Executive Meeting.
Respectfully submitted by;Michael Duncan
Branch,News[ Executive ReportsHealth Promotion and Professional Past President's Report.
Development The signing authority, and financial responsibilitiesfor the Ontario Branch have now been fully transferred
This committee has just had a face lift ! I am veryto our new President and our current Secretary
fortunate to have some great people volunteer their Treasurer. For historical reference, I wish to notetime to work on this committee with me.that our Secretary Treasurer has accounted for every
The following are the members of the Health penny that was received and/or spent by the ExecutivePromotion and Professional Development Committee: Councils during my presidency. This clear and honest
Liz Haydu Peel Region Health Unit recording and reporting of branch finances is greatly
_ Jos_e Guerin Peel Region Health Unit appreciated by all branch members.
Tino Serapiglia Toronto Public Health Unit As President, I received arequest dated July 31, 2000,Sendi Struna Durham Region Health Unit from the Eastern Health Unit related to Health UnitDorianna Simone York Region Health Services hiring practices. The written request arrived afterCristina Fazzolari Ryerson Polytechnic University an "extortion type" phone call from one of the EasternJulie Davis Halton Regional Health Unit Health Unit staff.
The committee will be looking at the mandates set I believe this to be a valid situation but I refused, as
out by the executive council, and for the year 2001 President, to respond to the matter. Attached, for yourwe will be focusing on one or two of these mandates, records, is a copy of a request sent to the HonorableOne in particular that is quite fitting for the times, is Elizabeth Witmer asking that her Ministry investigate
the mandate dealing with"strengthening professional this matter. Please note the letter is dated October
development skills". We hope to offer members some 27, 2000, and signed by the Ontario Branch Pastinteresting opportunities to strengthen certain skills, President.and provide them with information.to further any On November 1, 2000, a letter was sent to ourinterests. Secretary Treasurer informing her that I will meet
Another mandate of the committee is to promote the with Detective Sergeant John Adams of the NiagaraRegional Police Department. The meeting isprofession to the general public. I think that this one
is very important, especially, with the current shortage scheduled for 7:00 a.m., November 10, 2000, at theof trained inspectors in the field. The committee will Niagara Falls Detachment. I have received a request,come up with some ways to approach this task. and will be touring the facility of one of the exhibitorsfrom our 61Annual Educational Conference. Prior to
As all committees in CIPHI, we are here for you. I today's meeting, I will be touring the Andersonwelcome any comments or ideas that you may have Controls (infrared thermometers) facility at 130that would fit the duties of this group. You may reach Industry Street, Unit-#7, Toronto, Ontario.
me at (905) 825-6060 ext. 7678 Respectfully submitted by;(davis [email protected]). Michael Minor
Respectfullysubmittedby;JulieDavis
Executive Reports IBranchNewsOctober27, 2000
The Honourable Elizabeth Witmer
Minister of Health and Long Term Care10th Floor Hepburn Block80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2C4
Dear Minister Witmer:
Re: Eastern Ontario Health Unit Hiring Practices - Food Safety Inspection
The Canadian Institute of Health Inspectors, Ontario Branch,have received a request for support, from theinspection staffof the EasternOntarioHealthUnit.The inspectionstaffallege that Dr.RobertBourdeau,M.O.H., andtheAdministrationof theHealth Unit, arehiring "Food Science Technicians" instead of Public Health Inspectors for food safety inspectiondutiesSchedule B (Sections 10 (6), 125), By-Law in Force in Every Municipality Until Altered by theMunicipal Council,states the following;
Duty of M.O.H: The medical officer of health shall assist and advise the local board of health andits officers in matters relating to public health, and superintend the enforcement and observancewithin the municipalityof health by-laws or regulations, and of public health Acts, and of any other il_sanitarylaws, and perform such otherduties and lawful acts for the preservation of the public healthas are, in his opinion, necessary,or as are required by the Ministry of Health for Ontario. He shallalso present tothe said board, before the 31day of January in each year, a full report upon thesanitary condition of the municipality during the preceding calendar year
Duty of Public Health Inspector: The public health inspector, besides performing the duties imposedby this by-law, shall assist the medical officer of health, and perform such other duties as are fromtime to time assigned to him by the local board of health or the medical officer of health.
The Health Protection andPromotion Act R.S.O. 1990_ Section 13 (1) (2) (a) (b) states:A medical officer of health or a public health inspector, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2), bya written order may require a person to take or to refrain from taking any action that is specified in the orderin respect of a health hazard. A medical officer of health or a public health inspector may make an orderunder this section where he or she is of the opinion, upon reasonable and probable grounds, that a healthhazard exists in the health unit served by him or her; and that the requirements specified in the order are
,, necessary in order to decrease the effect 0for to eliminate the health hazard.
Honourable Minister, as an Executive member of the Ontario Branch of the Canadian Institute of PublicHealth Inspectors, I believe the inspection staff of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit have a valid concern. Iam also aware that our Executive have no authority to investigate this matter, and therefore, I formallyrequest on behalf of the inspection staffofthe Eastern Ontario Health Unit, that the Ministry of Health andLong Term Care investigate the hiring practices, for food safety inspections, of the Eastern Ontario HealthUnit. Attached, please find copies of vacancy postings for Food Science Technicians which have beenforwarded to our Executive I thank you foryour consideration of this matter.
c.c.Mr. Robert Bradbury, National President CIPHI, Mrs. Suzanne Lychowyd-Shaw, President, OntarioBranch CIPHI, Mr. Jim Reffie, President A.S.P.H.I.O.
Branch News [ Executive Reports
Communicable Disease Division Update
The CommunicableDiseaseCommitteemet for the firsttimesince electionsonNovember17, 2000.
CommitteeMembersWewelcomed three new members. The committee members are:LucieImbiscuso (RegionalMunicipalityofPeel), SusanMorrison(LambtonCounty)Laura Farrell(HuronCounty),HeatherReesor (HaltonRegion),Alicia Lowe (TorontoPublicHealth, NY), FrancinePaquette (OxfordCounty),RosemarieArndt (Chatham-Kent), Jane Shimizu (TorontoPublic Health Etobicoke),Amritpal Gill (TorontoPublic Health Etobicoke),
•:,_ BrendaMiller (Regional Municipality of Waterloo,and Kara Flannigan(Algoma HealthUnit).
EducationalConference__ The annual Communicable Disease Conference is being planned for May 10 and 11,2001 at the Central;:_ Public HealthLaboratory.Wewill be exploringthe diversepublic healthissues and outcomes learned from
the Walkertonexperience.
CD Fact Sheets
Bey Middletonwill continue inkeeping the inventoryanddistributionofthese FactSheets:3M SterilizationWorkshopsTo complementthe Personal Services Workersprograms,eflbrts areunderwayto arrangemoreof these
I informativeworkshops in fiveregionsof the province. HealthUnitsponsorsare needed to providevenue,_meals, and promotion.
National HandwashingAwarenessWeek
Depending on the outcome of the federal election, handwashing week has yet to be proclaimed for thesecond week in February 2001.
Bev Middleton has announcedthat she is leaving the Committee. Her enthusiasm and commitmentwill bemissed. Weare thankful for her tireless efforts. I am especially grateful for her thorough preparations andthoughtfulnessin makingthe transition soeffortless.
Respectfully submitted by;Kara Flannigan
Supportthe only organizationthat speaks for PHI's onPublic Health
Issues.
GET A NON-MEMBER TO JOIN.
C.Do Reservoir IBranch NewsA prolonged outbreak ofPseudomonas aeruginosa in a neonatal intensive care unit: did stafffingernails play a role in disease transmission?
Acute Disease Division, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma City, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To describe an outbreak ofPseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection (BSI) andendotracheal tube (ETT) colonization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), determine risk factors forinfection, and make preventive recommendations. DESIGN: A 15-month cohort study followed by a case-control study with an environmental survey and molecular typing of available isolates using pulsed-fieldgel electrophoresis. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Neonates in the NICU of a university-affiliated
• children's hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Improved hand washing and restriction of use of long or artificialfingernails. RESULTS: Of 439 neonates admitted during the study period, 46 (10.5%) acquired Paeruginosa; 16 (35%) of those died. Fifteen (75%) of 20 patients for whom isolates were genotyped had
genotype A, and 3 (15%) had genotype B. Of 104 healthcare workers (HCWs) from whom hand cultureswere obtained, P aeruginosa was isolated from three nurses. Cultures from nurses A-1 and A-2 grewgenotype A, and cultures from nurse B grew genotype B. Nurse A- 1 had long natural fingernails, nurse Bhad long artificial fingernails, and nurse A-2 had short natural fingernails. On multivariate logistic 1regression analysis, exposure to nurse A-1 and exposure to nurse B were each independently associatedwith acquiring a BSI or ETT colonization with P aeruginosa, but other variables, including exposure tonurse A-2, were not. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological evidence demonstrated an association between •acquiring P aeruginosa and exposure to two nurses. Genetic and environmental evidence supported thatassociation and suggested, but did not prove, a possible role for long or artificial fingernails in thecolonization of HCWs' hands with P aeruginosa. Requiring short natural fingernails in NICUs is areasonable policy that might reduce the incidence ofhospita!-acquired infections.
One of Canada'snewestbulwarksagainstinfectiousdiseasewouldnot look outof place in anindustrialpark,butthat'swherethe resemblanceends. Insidethe white multi-storeybuildingnearcentralWinnipeg,Health Canadascientistsare at workin a unique state-of-the-artlaboratorycomplex, trackingdown thedisease-causingagentsthatthreatenourhealth. The CanadianScienceCentreforHumanandAnimalHealth(CSCHAH)is thefirstintheworldto combinehumanandanimalhealthresearchunderoneroof.Researchersfrom Health Canadaand the CanadianFood InspectionAgency (CFIA),workingwith scientistsacrossCanadaandaroundthe world,identifyandcharacterizenew infectiousagentsandthe mutantsof old ones.Theirmissionis to keepthese bugs outof circulation.Permanently.The challengeof thwartingdiseaseisgreat.Somediseasesonce thoughteliminatedarereturning,andsomebacteriaarebecomingmoreresistantto treatment.New and exotic illnesses are emergingin remotecomers of the worldandbeing spreadbyrapidglobalmovementof people,animalsand goods.
If a disease breaks out...CSCHAHstaffgive top priorityto identifyingthe cause.Testson patientspecimenshelp identifypossiblesourcesof illnessanddeterminehow and whereaparticularstrainof micro-organismmay be spreading,sothatthe diseasecanbe controlled.Speedandaccuracyof the testingarecritical toprovincesand territoriesmanaginga diseaseoutbreak,andto physicianswho aretreatingpatients.
Why the human-animalresearchmix?Somediseasesaretransmittedfromanimalstohumans.Knownas"zoonotic" diseases,they inlcuderabie____s,madcow disease, malaria,hantavirusand Lymedisease. HarveyArtsob is chief of the centre'szoonoticdiseasesandspecial pathogensprogram.The challengehe and his researchteamface is thatanimal-bornediseasesarea movingtarget."Zoonoticdiseasesarenotonlyimportantforthe illnessesthey causenow,butals0fortheirpotentialtocreatenewdiseasesthatare unknownto us atpresent,"saysArtsob."Forexample,it tooksome time for scientiststo trace the Sourceof the HIVepidemicto primates."A new outbreakofinfluenzalike theone thatkilledmillionsworldwidein 1918is expectedin thenextdecadeorso, butnooneis in a position to predictaccuratelywhen it will occur,or what virus will trigger it. "No one has acompletehandleonhow virusesorbacteriawillmigrateoremerge,"saysArtsob."Internationalsurveillanceof disease has been around for only about 100 years, so the methodsof detectionand trackingarestillevolving." Still, Health Canadais able to identifyzoonotic diseases in time to minimize public healthproblems."This is the purposeof the centre,to detectandanalysedisease agentsto preventtheirspread,"Artsob emphasizes. One of the leadingmembersof Artsob's teamis Heinz Feldmann,aninternationallyrecognizedexpert on zoonoticdiseasesand head of the specialpathogens laboratory.For Feldmann,it isimportantto establishthe centre'sreputationas a reliablesourceof diagnostictestingon disease-causingagents. "This is called a referenceservice, and it must be quickandaccurate,"says Feldmann. Furtherdownthe road,Feldmannforeseesa leading-edgeresearchroleforthe specialpathogenslaboratory,trackingdown agentsthat causehemorrhagicdiseasessuch as Ebola, Lassaand yellow fever."We'll be tryingtodevelopreversegenetic systemsto manufacturevirusesintesttubesand see how they developand mutate.These techniqueshave notbeen appliedto someof the virusesthatinterestus, so it will be novel work."Taken from Health Canada's Web Site magazine: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/magazine/2000_ll
1BranchNewsReflections on the Environmental Health Profession in Post Anartheid South Africa
Submitted by Hilton Ryder, Chairman of the Professional Boardfor Environmental Health Officers inSouth Africa in the South African Health Profession's Council.
I have alwaysbelieved thatthereis somethingto be gainedby exploringthe pastso longas one does notbecometo immersedin the longstrugglesthatwerewon andlostonthe way.
EnvironmentalHealthOfficersin SouthAfricacanbe proudof the contributiontheyhave madeoversome300 yearsin SouthAfrica. Whensettlementswere establishedin the Cape,firstby the DutchSettlersandlaterby the British- the colonialprofessional(sanitaryinspector)wasintroducedto maintainstandardsandby allaccountswas successful in manyrespects. Lawsweredraconianandpenaltiesstrict.
As the countrydeveloped and anumberof warswerefought- besides the worldwars,the Britishand the"Boers" also hadseverdisputesover landandpolicies.
The unjustsystemof homelandsand apartheidwas establishedin orderto containthe indigenousmajorityand finallySouthAfricaandthe world saw the miracleof democracybornthroughtwo very enlightenedpeople - MrNelson Mandelaand MrF.W.de Klerk.
Havinglivedandworkedthroughsome30yearsoflaterhistory,Icountmyselfasbeingextremelyprivilegedand hon0uredto have hadthe experienceof politicalchange- arelativelypeacefultransition.
"Servingthe Community"is alwaysforemostineveryEnvironmentalHealthOfficers' codeandnonemoresothan in SouthAfrica. EnvironmentalHealthOfficersherehavealwaysbeen able topracticeobjectively 1and in factfight for the underprivilegedno matterwhatsystem was in place. _l
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i._ Whatchallengesfacethe current SouthAfricanEnvironmentalHealth Officers?Wehave recently achievedequal status and recognition with all other professions including doctors. Wenow all register with one Council in South Africa -namely the Health Profession's Council which takescare of all disciplinary,ethical and educational standards in the country. The educational standards areconstantlybeingrevised to meet theneeds ofthe employersbut a degree is consideredstandard,whilemanyhave progressed to Master's level, there are very few at Doctorate level.
Since the 1990's and leading up to the first democratic elections, all towns and cities experienced hugeurbanizationproblems. Withthe influxof people and resultingsquattercamps. Manypredictionsare that inthe next 10years these migrant dwellerswill reach ten times•theirnumber.
Poor sanitation, lack of pure water and other hygieneaspects have led to the outbreak of disease. Currentlyin my own area, nearly 7 000 people have been struck by cholera.Rabies is experienced sporadically as well as typhoid.
l Foot and mouth disease amongstthe cattle in my area has also hadus working closely with the Veterinaryofficials in the region.
Foodpoisoningis relativelycommonin summermonths(November,December, •January and February)and regular food samplingprogrammes are conducted. Informal trading or street trading isalso conductedon a large scale and keeps many an EnvironmentalHealthOfficerbusywith educationand training.
Air quality problems are largely experienced in the winter months
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Branch News Ac,,oss(May, June, July and August) in South Africa. They are confined to the big industrial cities, Cape Town,Durban, Johannesburg,Port Elizabeth etc.
The build up of sulphur dioxide sometimes exceeds acceptable levels especially around oil refineries.South Africa is in the process of promulgating new Air Quality Legislation which will be a new chapter inthe New Environmental ManagementAct. It will be based on Air Quality Standards and the polluter paysprinciple.
New municipal structures will take effect from the 8thDecember 2000 and this will create new boundariesand give local (municipal structures) more power. Health structures are entering district or regionalarrangementswhich is not entirelyclear at this stage. Generallyspeakingit is a 3-tier systemof Government.National (State), Provincial and Local (Municipal).
All boundaries of Municipalities have been arranged so that poorer areas will be combined with moreeffluent areas so that they canbe uplifted and improved. •
Many Health Departments have sections•thatdeal specificallywith development projects and a lot of thoseprojects deal with water and sanitation aspects as well as housing.
Werecently held a National Conference in Durban and it was attended by a number of overseas delegates,
many ofwhom I knowpersonally and I made theremark from the stage that as fellow EnvironmentalHealthOfficers, weare a global family and so it is with this in mindthat I wish you peace, happiness and goodwillfor the year 2001.
Dog Buddies
The Region of Ottawa-Carleton's dog bite prevention program
In the springof 1999,the EnvironmentalHealth Division reviewedits EnvironmentalHealthAnimalRabiesReports for theyears 1996to 1998. This reviewshowed that children under the ageoften represented, on ayearly average, 30% of all dog bite victims. It was therefore decided that a program, with the goal ofreducing the number of dog bites among this agegroup, was required.
Dog Buddies, a joint project of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton, the Ottawa-Carleton Humane Society andthe Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, is a bilingual educational program, aimed primarily at Grade 1students, but also at parentsand dogowners. Throughan informationpackage consistingof a video,coloringbook, poster and pamphlet, the program addresses how to approach a dog,which dogsto stayawayfrom,what doto whenan aggressivedogis encounteredand also what to do if one is knocked downby a dog.
wards, communitycentresand libraries. Deliveryat the elementary !emergencyschool level (Grade 1)is undertaken by staffofthe Ottawa-CarletonHumane
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Society. They have sent a letter to all Grade 1 teachers advising them that theprogram meets the New Ontario Curriculum requirements of the Health andPhysical booklet and also, of their availability, for a nominal fee, to presentthe program at the classroom level.
For more information on the Dog Buddies dog bite prevention program, please contactMark Rochon or Jean-Guy Albert at (613) 722-2200 Orvisit us at www.city.ottawa.on.caclick on "What is New"
1
EVENTS &ANNOUNCEMENTSINMEM!B ranch News
Ed "Buddy" FlemingDecember 2, 1937- May 18,2000
We mourn the loss of a great man, a fellow co-worker, a curling partner, and a dear friend.
f Ed "Buddy" Fleming passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2000 after a battle with cancer.
i In 1967 Buddy graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and obtained a Certificate in Public HealthInspection (Canada) from the Canadian Public Health Association. He worked 33 years as a Public Health
i Inspector for the Sudbury & District Health Unit, 24 of these in the Chapleau branch-office.
Buddy was an intelligent, humorous man, with a kind heart.
Public Health was his work, his play and his social life. He unselfishly put his family, friends and the publicfirst and gave a lot of his private time to assist in community activities.
Ed "Buddy" Fleming will be remembered for his dedication to public health. In particular, safe water wasa major health issue for Ed.
A memorial fund is being established through the Environmental Health Foundation of Canada (EHFC)which will direct funds received to projects related to providing safe water. Please see attached for moreinformation.
Donations that require a receipt should be mailed separately to:
Mr. Tim Roark, TreasurerEnvironmental Health Foundation of Canada
I_ 20898 Meadow PlaceMaple Ridge, B.C.V3Z 1C7
Branch NewsEd Fleming Memorial Fund
In memory of Ed Fleming, donations will be gratefully accepted for this fund through the EnvironmentalHealth Foundation of Canada. Any funds donated will be eligible for an official tax receipt.
Funds available in this account will be dedicated towards projects that provide education for protectingwater quality or improvement of water quality. Phase I will be directed towards providing educationalmaterial that promote the protection and maintenance of water quality. The EHFC currently has a videoavailable called 'www.groundwater.protection'. It was produced by the B.C. Groundwater Associationwith fundingprovidedbyEnvironmentCanada,EnvironmentalHealthFoundationof Canada(EHFC),CanadaTrust-Friends of theEnvironment, Health Canada,Golder Associates and numerous others. EHFCTrusteesCharlie Youngand TimRoark were on the advisory board throughout the development of the video.
www.groundwater.protectionis an educational half-hour video on groundwater. Topics include: what isgroundwater; why it is important, how it gets contaminated and how people can help protect the resource.The video is easy to follow and animation makes it appealing to both kids and adults.
The initial objective will be to have it available in every library in the Sudbury and District region. Thesecondary objective is to have the video available in every library located in Ontario. Once the first twoobjectives are accomplished then other provinces will be the focus. The ultimate goal of Phase I will be tohave this video available on loan in all libraries in Canada. - I
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have a label attached that indicates it was a donation to the library made possible from the tEd FlemingMemorial Fund throughthe EnvironmentalHealth Foundationof Canada.
f
Environmental Health Foundation of Canada
Ed FlemingMemorial Fund
Funds will be gratefully acceptedtowards water quality projects through the Ed Fleming Memorial Fund.
I (name) Address: would liketo donate: (circle one) $25 $50 $100 $ (please insert amount). I am enclosing a cheque ormoney order for the amount indicated. Please send it to:Mr.TimRoark,TreasurerEnvironmentalHealthFoundationof Canada,20898 Meadow Place, MapleRidge, B.C. V3Z 1C7
Membership Services :_ lBranch NewsThere have been many requests for Wally Adams ' list of "Interesting Comparisons" that was publisheda couple of years ago in the OBN so here it is.
One cup of coffee/day @ $1.00 per cup, 200 working days per year = $200Lunch at a restauranttwice/month @ $8.00 per lunch, for one year = $192
A newspaper subscription @ .50 per day (cheap) for one year = $182A visit to a pub once/week for one beverage @ $4.00 per drink, for one year = $208If you smoke (shame on you) 1/4 pack a day @$2.50 per pack, for one year -- $228A health club membership @ $20.00 per month (a bargain), for one year -- $240Video rental once/week @ 2.50 per video, for one year = $130One CD purchase/month @ 10.00 per CD (another bargain), for one year = $120A round of golf, once/month from May to October @ $20.00 per round = $120A case of beer once/season @ 30.00 per case, four seasons/year -- $120A night at the movies for two, one Tuesday/month, nOpopcorn or drinks = $192One day of skiing - forget it!If you have a cellphone -what are you paying for that, eh?Two Lotto 649 tickets per week (no Encore), for one year = $104
! A $10.00 donation per month to charity, for one year -- $120
i A one year membership to the CIPHI = $115 (a steal)compiled by WallyAdams, CPHI(C)
11: June 1999
f RENEW your membership for 2001!HAfter all membership does have it's privileges.
Gain advocate support for issues concerningyour duties as a Public Health InspectorObtain sponsorship for technical and educationalseminars/conferencesReceive The Ontario Branch News quarterlyReceive National journals quarterly- Environmental Health ReviewReceive the Directory of Public Health Inspectors in OntarioObtain a reduced rate at CIPHI Ontario Branch, National and InternationalconferencesObtain payroll deduction of membership dues (in some Ontario Health UnitS)Obtain access to employment postings
Obtain access to National and Ontario Branch web sites
i Time is running out, submit your membership forms for 2001 by MarchI 31st
i Contact your Membership Services Councillor, Lorrie Culic, if you haveany questions or concerns regarding membership.
Branch News[CIPHI Membership/Renewal Application Form 2001
I herebymakeapplicationfor Membership(see list below)in the CanadianInstituteof PublicHealthInspectors.Thisapplicationimpliesthat membershipis to continueuntil resignationis tendered,or until membershipis discontinuedunderthe conditionscontainedin theBy-lawsof the Institute.Name: Date of Birth:S'urname First Middle Day MonthYear
Home Address:Street City Province Postal Code
Phone #: / E-mail address:AreaCode
Work Phone#: / Fax#: / E-mail address:AreaCode Area Code
Present Employer:Agency Street AddressEmployerAddress: Postal Code:
City/TownProvinceC.P.H.I.(C)Certificate#: Year Issued: I-lowmanyyearshave you been a memberof CII?HI?Code of Ethics - As a Member of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, 1 acknowledge:That I have an obligation to the sciences and arts for the advancement of public health. I will uphold the standards of myprofession, continually search for truths, and disseminate my findings; and I will strive to keep myself fully informed ofthe developments in the field of Public Health.
That I have an obligation to the public whose trust I hold and I will endeavour0to the best of my ability, to guard theirinterests honestly and wisely. I will be loyal to the government division or industry by which I am retained.That the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being
without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
That being loyal to my profession, I will uphold the constitution and By-laws of the Canadian Institute of Public HealthInspectors and will, at all times, conduct myself in a manner worthy of my profession.My signature hereon constitutes a realization of my personal responsibility to actively discharge these obligations.
Signature: Date:
Please indicate the type of membership you require:[] Regular [] Student $20.00 [] Retired $20.00 [] Fraternal $80.00 VI International $65.00For regular membership indicate which branch you wish tO belong:*-Note that GST is no longer being charged.
I I I I I i i, British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia/PEI Nfld/Labrador
$135.00 $115.00 $105.00 $100.00 $115.00 $65.00 $90.00 $90.00 1590.00 I(IncludesRegistration)Payment is made by:[] Cheque [] Visa #[] Payroll Deduction Name on Card[] Post-dated Cheques . Expiry Date: / . / (dated before March 31, 2001)
Signature:
Please make cheques payable to C.I.P.H.I. and forward your application by postal service to:C.1.P_H.I.,Box 5367, Stn, F., Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3J1Fax: 604-543-0936 or Phone: 604-543-0935 (Toll free: 1-888-245-8180)
Publications IBranch NewsOrder Form For Office Use Only:
lnvoice #:Date Order Sent:
Date Invoice Sent:
CD Intbrrnation Sheets (indicate number of pads requested in adjacent column) $9.00*all CD pads are produced in tear -offpads of 100
Arnebiasis gyrne Disease
1N,'IR S A (MethicillinCarnpylobacteriosis Resistant Staphylococcus
Hand W_tsh Signs (suitable for Laminated ($2.50 each)Day Nurseries) Unlatxainated ($1.60 each)
Food Fitness pamphlets $0.30 each
llX17 inches
colour glossyRabies posters $0.90 each or $0.75 each
on orders of 200 or more
Rental (**)Environmental Health Display Purchase $350.00
Public Health Inspector colourPamphlet $1.10 each
Tattooing&Body Piercing $25.00 eachInspection Gui de
Orders are delivered by Purolator courier and delivery charges added to the invoice
unless otherwise indicated. Courier paid directly by receiver. Please provide
I' Purolator account number:
I ** Please contact J. de Grosbois for further information on display rentali Fax orders to (519) 271-2195 or mail: Judy de Grosbois, c/o Perth District Health Unit, 653 West
Gore Street, Stratford, ON N5A 1L4 _elephone: (519) 271-7600 ext. 249
Branch News l MillenniumContinuedcharacter. Buddhist monks exorcise ghosts from the vicinity and are presented with gifts. Oblations aremade to various gods of Hindu origin. As people meet, water is playfully thrown by one on the other.Gambling, usuallyfrowned upon, is permitted forthe three-day festival.ChineseNew Year is celebrated officially for a month beginning in late January or early February. It ispreceded by an expulsion of demons and by theatrical performances. Offerings are made to gods of hearthand wealth and to ancestors. Tibetans observe the New Year in February with feasting, visiting, and arelaxation of monastic discipline.
The celebration of the New Yearon January 1-3 is the most popularannual festival in Japan. In some ruraldistricts it continues to be observed according tOthe lunar-solar calendaron dates varyingbetween January20 and February 19,and the traditions connected with the festival confirm its original connectionwith thecomingof springand a time of rebirth.Thefesti_'alis calledin JapaneseGanjitsu("OriginalDay"),signifyingthe beginning of the new year,and also Shogatsu ("StandardMonth"), referringto thebelief that the good orbad fortune met with during the first few days of the new year maybe taken as representative of the fortunefor the entire Comingyear.
New Year celebration information was taken from the Encyclopedia Britannica web site atwww.britannica.com.
IN THE NEXT ISSUE... JASPHIO Corner Will return in 2001 !
All Health Units in Ontario! Our "Discover... feature will return in 2001 ! This is your !opportunity showcaseyour hard work and the challenges that your inspection staff will face in 2001. Call
or e-mail the OBN editorial team to reserve the "Discover..." features in 2001 for your Health Unit. t
ciphie/o York Region Health ServicesAttention: Sonia Singh
17250 Yonge St.Newmarket, OntarioL3Y 6Z1
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Michael J Duncan18 Beechwood PathHuntsville, ON PIH IS8
